Gabriela Breuer
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): David Tamayo
Research Mentor School/College/Department: History / LSA
Program:
Authors: Gabriela Breuer, David Tamayo
Session: Session 7: 4:40 pm – 5:30 pm
Poster: 70
Abstract
Gaining popularity at the turn of the century, numerous service clubs in the United States were founded during the first fifteen years of the twentieth century. Once established within the nation, many clubs hoped to expand internationally. Bordering the US, Mexico was a country many looked to. This study highlights how international community-based clubs impacted the Mexican conservative middle class through records of events, club meetings, conversations between community members, and documentation of club activity. Observing these documents accentuated the idea that the Rotary Club and others were a means for the middle class to organize and engage in political action under the guise of philanthropy. Men of various professions came together to carry out the fundamental mission of these clubs: acts of service. Although men were the sole official members of these clubs, women and children developed meaningful roles within these organizations. This study is part of the research for Dr. David Tamayo’s book, diving into the specifics of the impact of service clubs on Mexico. This book will help us understand how Mexico’s conservative middle classes became politicized as well as the unintended effects of Americans seeking to spread pro-capitalist and democratic values to other countries.
